My Favorite Places to Eat in West Michigan

When people hear that I’m a food blogger, they always ask me, “What’s your favorite restaurant?” I have to say that it totally depends on the situation! Seriously, there are SO many great restaurants in West Michigan. And, of course, it is all very subjective. Nevertheless, here are my top picks. Feel free to disagree or add YOUR favorites in the comments!

My Favorite Place To . . .

Eat Breakfast

Marie Catrib’s Something for every tastebud. Marie and her kitchen team produce and serve super great, full-flavored food that has a beginning, middle, and finish to every bite. Everything at Marie Catrib’s is ruled by taste. Fresh, local and outside of the box menu items for breakfast, lunch and brunch on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays. A favorite local hangout with the East Hills community and beyond.

Have Lunch on the Go

Nourish Organic Market is one of my favorite places to stop and pick up some groceries and lunch at the same time. Their sandwiches are delish – my favorite is the turkey and avocado.

Have a Lunch Meeting

The Green Well isn’t the best for private seating, but the food more than makes up for it. I love that much of it is locally sourced. Lunch seems to be a little less busy than dinner.

Have a Nice Dinner Out

Amore Trattoria Italiana. LOVE the food, LOVE the atmosphere. It’s a great place to actually have a conversation. The local, seasonal menu is divine and there’s a good selection of local beer on tap. Be sure to get the arancini.

Eat When I Don’t Feel Like Cooking

Bagger Dave’s participates in “local washing,” but their burgers are decent and they have an excellent beer selection. I know, it’s sad when I choose restaurants based on beer selections! But it’s close to our house and better than most of the chains.

Go Out for Pizza

Harmony Brewing. Yes, this is sort of picked because of the beer selection too, but their pizzas are dang good.

Want Something Different

Vander Mill. Out in Spring Lake, but worth the drive. Homemade sandwiches, doughnut chips, and yummy ciders. They also have monthly paired beer/cider dinners that are a lot of fun.

Bistro Bella Vita. A Slow Food Snail of Approval winner, this is a great place to suggest to friends who are visiting downtown. Also, if you don’t mind driving in, the food is always good.

LOVE Grove….I’d say it’s my favorite restaurant in GR. Also, toward the Lakeshore don’t forget Salt of the Earth in Fennville and Every Day People Cafe in Douglas. Both are consistently excellent and focused on local.

You covered my favorites, Wendy! I second Josh’s mention of One Stop Coney Shop above and here’s why: BEEF TALLOW FRENCH FRIES, woohooooooo! No crappy soybean or canola oils – just the traditional yumminess of tallow. 🙂

Has anyone tried Trillium Haven? I’ve been wanting to but haven’t heard much about it yet.